Nunn explains why she's leaving as Birmingham police chief

Birmingham Police Chief Annetta Nunn stepped down as the city's top cop today, explaining tonight Mayor-elect Larry Langford had a different vision for the job.

Nunn held a 7 p.m. press conference. She confirmed her retirement after a morning meeting with Langford, which she said had not been previously scheduled.

"I didn't intend to start the day saying that I was retiring, though it was something I had contemplated," Nunn said. "He said I was welcome to stay, but it would take on a different flair."

The two agreed Nunn, 49, will serve as a consultant to the department for one year, a position Langford told her would be paid through private funds, she said. She did not disclose the amount. The position's pay will be in addition to her retirement pay, which would be about 60 percent of her $140,000 chief's salary.

The move will come shortly after Langford is sworn in on Nov. 13. Attempts to reach Langford for comment Friday were unsuccessful.

He has not said publicly who Nunn's successor will be, and she indicated she didn't know.
Carol Robinson